This provision requires users and Medium to resolve virtually all legal disputes, including privacy and data security claims, through individual binding arbitration administered by JAMS, and prohibits class or representative actions. Consumers may elect to hold arbitration in their county of residence rather than San Francisco.
This analysis describes what Medium's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
This clause requires that disputes proceed through individual JAMS arbitration rather than court litigation, with the arbitrator holding exclusive authority over procedural and substantive decisions. The class action waiver applies to arbitration and court proceedings alike, limiting users to individual claims only.
The updated terms establish that Medium may stop providing the Services or any of its features within its sole discretion. The prior language focused on subscription account sign-up mechanics; the new provision creates an explicit contractual reservation allowing Medium to discontinue platform features or the entire service without conditions tied to a specific event or timeline. The terms do not specify advance notice requirements, transition periods, or user remedies if the service is discontinued.
View change record →The updated terms expand a data collection warranty to apply to all personal information users provide to Medium, not limited to newsletter editor submissions. Users now represent and warrant that any personal information they submit has been lawfully collected and that all required notices and consents were obtained before collection. This means the warranty applies whether data is provided through newsletters, account profiles, submissions, or other Medium features. If a user provides personal information collected without proper notice or consent, they may be in breach of this representation.
View change record →Added explicit carve-outs for small claims court and injunctive relief for IP infringement, and expanded coverage to explicitly include privacy and data security claims.
View full change record →Under this clause, users who did not opt out within 30 days of first accepting these terms are required to submit disputes, including privacy and data security claims, to individual JAMS arbitration and may not participate in class or representative proceedings. Consumer users may elect to hold arbitration hearings in their county of residence rather than San Francisco.
Cross-platform context
See how other platforms handle Mandatory Individual Arbitration and Class Action Waiver and similar clauses.
Compare across platforms →"Except for small claims disputes in which you or Medium seeks to bring an individual action in small claims court located in the county where you reside or disputes in which you or Medium seeks injunctive or other equitable relief for the alleged infringement or misappropriation of intellectual property, you and Medium waive your rights to a jury trial and to have any other dispute arising out of or related to these Terms or our Services, including claims related to privacy and data security, (collectively, "Disputes") resolved in court. All Disputes submitted to JAMS will be resolved through confidential, binding arbitration before one arbitrator. Arbitration proceedings will be held in San Francisco, California unless you're a consumer, in which case you may elect to hold the arbitration in your county of residence. No class or representative actions or arbitrations are allowed under this arbitration provision.Excerpt from Medium's Terms of Service
1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: This provision explicitly invokes the Federal Arbitration Act (9 U.S.C.
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This clause requires that disputes proceed through individual JAMS arbitration rather than court litigation, with the arbitrator holding exclusive authority over procedural and substantive decisions. The class action waiver applies to arbitration and court proceedings alike, limiting users to individual claims only.
Under this clause, users who did not opt out within 30 days of first accepting these terms are required to submit disputes, including privacy and data security claims, to individual JAMS arbitration and may not participate in class or representative proceedings. Consumer users may elect to hold arbitration hearings in their county of residence rather than San Francisco.
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